Signal system for railways.



- M. G. VOIGTLANDER. SIGNAL SYSTEMIFORRIA'ILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

System for railways derstood blocks and with their electrical connections. Fig. 3 is a local contacts.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

MAXIMILLIAN G. YOIGTLAXDER, OF HARRISON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES A. GRAFT, OF HARRISON, OHIO.

SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR RAILWAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 14, 1908.

application filed August 9, 1996. Serial no. 329,828.

5 ton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Systerms for Railways, (Case 0,) of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to a signal andis adapted for employment in connection with the signal system for railways shown, described and claimed in my application for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 232,678, filed 15 November 14, 1904, and in my applications of even date herewith desi nated respec-' tively as Cases A and .B; an being respecti'vely Serial Nos. 329,826 and 329,827, andI have herein shown and described some of the 20 features and combinations of elements shown described and claimed in said respective applications for Letters Patent, to which reference is respectfullymade. The present invention will be readily unfromthe following description and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 represents a plan view showing a railway track arranged .into electrical provided with tracks or local contacts, the electrical connections being diagrammatically shown. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the signaling recordand controlling apparatus on the vehicle,

side elevation of the electric traveling and Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the recording apparatus. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same, partly in vertical section on the line 03-00 of Fig. 4:, and partly with the casing ,removed to show interior construction. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the control. Fig. 7 is a the same on the line y-y of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section of the same on the Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one of the control-levers; and, Fig- 10 is an end elevation of the same shown in connection with it terminals.

A re resents the track which I have shown in its simplest form as a single track, although it is obvious that my invent-ion is applicable I line -z-2 of Fig. 7.

to double tracks and siglings, switches, cross 7 overs and other tracks'of more complicated arrangement, as more fully indicated 111 said MAXIMIL IAN G,

14, and at the left side central vertical section of other applications. The track comprises a continuous rail 1 and a mating rail therefor which is divided into sections or blocks 2,

separated by insulations 8 for forming succeeding blocks in the track re resented at B, C and D. Each of the blocks has local or track contacts electrically connected therewith, which are projected into preceding blocks, and I have shown these contacts as comprising a home plate and a distant plate. The home plates are-indicated at 4 and the distant lates at 5, the dist-ant plate being preferab y located adjacent the distant post represented at 6.- trically connected with its bloc by an electric conductor 7 while the distant plate is connected with its block by an electric conductor 8 which is shown as connecting with the conductor 7 althon h it may be connected Willh'i-hfi home p ate. Vehicles are adapted to travel upon the track, the vehicles being provided with signals, registers and controls which have electric-connection with each other and are adapted to make electric connection with the track and local contacts in manner which will now be de- The homelate is 'elecscribed; The local contacts may consist of a.

plate having upturned ends 11 and secured to brackets 12 attached to but insulated from the tracks by an insulated connection 13.

The vehicle is provided with traveling contacts adapted to make electric contact with the local contacts and are so arranged that the electric contact may be made whether the vehicle be proceeding forward or backward, and for this purpose I provide such traveling contact at each side of the vehicle. Thus at the right side of ,the vehicle, looking in the direction of its forward travel, I provide a traveling contact of the vehicle, I proide a traveling contact 114. These traveling contacts may be in the form of brushes, rolls or shoes adapted to take under the local contacts and are preferably arranged for pressing yieldingly upward. I have shown the traveling contacts mounted at the outer ends of spring-arms 15 having an outwardly projected portion 16 for forming sidewise clearance, the s ring-arm being secured to but insulated rom the truck 17 of the vehicle by an insulated connection 18.. A depending post 19 may limit the, upward movement of the spring-arm and prevent. excessive vibration thereof.

cations.

Upon the vehicle there is located apair of signals 120 shown as electric bells, a pair of energizers '21. 121' shown as batteries, a register '22 and a controlling device- 23.

The register may be of any desirable form and comprise a case in which there a clock mechanism 26 and a dial-plate 27 operated thereby. the dial-plate being adaptcd to have attached thereto suitable dials 28 on which are depicted the time or hours of the day as shown at 29. the time divisions being of as short duration as may be desired, the clock mechanism being arranged to advance the dial corrtsponding to the time, so that the time indicated on the dial may at the proper moment and in correct sequence be opposite the pointer. Thus the hourhand shaft 30 of the clock mechanism may be connected with the dial-platc shaft 31 by a series of gears 32 33 :34 and 35 to cause thedial-plate to rotate half as fast as the hour-hand shaft. imparting a complete rotation to the dial-plate once in twenty-four hours. Positioning pins 36 may be provided for positioning the dial correctly with relation to the pointer on the tliabplate to corrcs 'mnd' with the time indicated by the clock mechanism. A door 37 provided with a lock 38 may be provided for the case. so that the dials may be inserted and removed only by an inspector or other officer provided with its key. The pointer 39 is provided with a marking point 40 arranged to contact with the dial for leaving a mark thereon. The pointer is actuated by an electro-magnet l1 or other suitable actuating device which is adapted to actuate the. pointer. The pointer is secured to an armaturc 42 arranged to be attracted by coils l3, but normally held in retracted position by a spring as against a stop l5.

The signal and recorder are adapted to be actuated on contact of the traveling contact with a local contact and the occupancy or derangement of the block with which said local contact is 'in electric connection as more fully ex )laine'd in my aforesaid appliln tie form shown. I have shown the signal as a separate device. although it is obvious that thesignal and recorder may be parts of the same structure. The signhls. register and control. in a locmnotive. will be at the engineers position. and in an electric vehicle at the motorman's or other operators position.

said register andsignals with the right hand traveling contact when the vehicle is proce'eding in a forward direction or with the left hand contact when the vehicle is procecd ing in a backward direction, the said control be short-circuited on the vehicle with either signal for testing said signals and enabling the intermediate with either of the end terminals of said switches. The'control prefer ably comprises a case 80 to which the respective terminals are secured by insulated connections, the terminals comprising binding posts located outside the case, with which binding posts the respective electric conductors for said contacts or terminals are connected. The bridgepieces are respectively secured to but insulated from arms 6-3 7-5 respectively secured to an inner shaft 56, an intermediate sleeve 66 and an outer sleeve 76. outer arms 57 6. 77 being respectively secured to said shaft and sleeves for manipulating the bridges. The shaft and sleeves rock within one another, the outer sleeve rocking in the lid 81 of the case. having a collar S2 secured thereto for positioning the same in the lid. The lid is preferably removable and is provided with indexes 58 68 and 78 for the respective switches. The

terminals inside the case. are "preferably provided with a depression 83. as shown in F ig. 10. the bridge being a spring-plate having curved ends 84: for being received by the depressions for positioning the same and making electric contact therewith, the bridge being insulated from the arm to which it is secured by insulation 85.

An electric conductor 86 connects the in termediate terminal 71 of switch H with the terminal S7 of the register. An electric conductor 88 connects the terminal 72 of switch H with the traveling contact 14. An electric conductor 89 connects the terminal 90 of the register with the intermediate terminal 51 of switch F. An electric conductor Ell connects the terminal 52 of switch F with the binding post 9'2 of bell 20'. An electric conductor H3 connects the binding post 94 of hell it) with the terminal 95 of battery 21. An electric conductor S16 connects the tcrminal UT of battery 21 'with the terminal UH of the battery 121. An electric conductor 9%) connects the terminal too of battery 121 with thcbitltlillg'post Hit of lltll 121), Anclectricconductor 1H2 connects the binding post 103 of hell 1'31) with the terminal 3 of switch F. in electric conductor 1H4 c nnects the electric conductor W) with the axle and wheels E one f also having means whereby the register ma v \\'il('ll ll with the ll':l\'t'llll t1' contact 11-1 An electric conductor 106 connects the con-- ductor 104 with the intermediate terminal 61 of switch G. An electric conductor 107 connects one of the end terminals 62 of switch G with the conductor 105, and an electric conductor 108 connects the other .end terminal 63 of switch G with the conductor 88.

The switch F may be termed the signal 7 ing contact through the register, and the electric connections of either traveling contact with both signals and the register may be short circuited for purposes of testing.

The traveling contacts are adapted to make contact with the local contacts, electric connection being thereby formed between the local contact through the traveling contact, the selected bell and battery, the register,'to the axle and wheels ofthe vehicle, thus completing the circuit withthe eXce tion of the spanning of the rails of the trac If now a vehicle be present in the block in advance, with which the local contact has connection, a complete circuit will be formed and the bell will ring and the register 0 erate, or if any other derangement be causec in the block in advance, such as mentioned for instance in the aforementioned applications for patents; the said register will indicate such derangement and the signal operate for calling attention to the same. marker of the register is adapted to normally point or mark along a redete-rmined line of the dial, as see the mar ing 109 in Fig. 2, the

dial being moved by the clock mechanism corresponding in time to the time markings on the dial. As soon as electric energy passes through the register-and bell, that is, as soon as any vehicle is present in said block in advance or any derangement takes placefo'r sounding the signal, electric energy will pass through the coils 43 to attract thearmature 42 for moving the pointer or marker of the register and causing the marking or pointing to take place in an abnormal position, as 'see the abnormal marking 1 10, which is indicated on the dial, the indications in abnormal position on the dial continuing during obstruction or derangement of the track as stated. As soon as the obstruction or derangement is removed, the marker or dial will return to normal osition, the moment of e'ing indicated on thetime of such return dial, so that a ermanent record may be had of the time w en such obstruction or de-' rangement took place, how longit continued, and when it ceased. V

Having thus fully described my invention whatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent ,is': 1

1. In a signal system for railways, the combination of a track comprising an electrically The pointer or continuous rail and a mating rail divided into blocks, local contacts at both sides of said I track, a vehicle, traveling contacts thereon binat'ion of a track comprising an electricallycontinuous rail and a mating rail insulated irito blocks, local contacts at both sides of,

said track, a vehicle, traveling contacts on said vehicle for said local contacts, a traveling'signal and traveling recorder on said ve- -hicle having electricconnection with either of said traveling contacts, and an electric switch on said vehicle for operatively electrically connecting said signal and recorder with either of sai'd traveling contacts.

3. In a signal system for railways, the combination of a track insulated into blocks, local contacts at either side thereof, a vehicle therefor, contacts thereon for said local contactsfa plurality of traveling signals and a traveling recorder on said vehicle, said respective signals having electric connection with said recorder comprising an electric switch for operatively electrically connecting either of said signals with said recorder, said signals having electric connection with said traveling contacts comprising an electric switch oper'atively electrically connecting either of said traveling contacts with either of said signals, substantially as described.

4. In asignal system for railwa s, the combination of a trackinsulated into locks, local contacts at either side thereof, avehicle there- 'operatively electrically connecting either of -said.s1gnalswith said recorder, said signals having electric connection with said traveling contacts comprising an electric switch operatively electrically connecting either of said traveling contacts with said signals, a source of-electric energy, 'short-circuitmg connections on said vehicle from said source to said signals and recorder, and a switch in said short circuiting connections through v either of said signals and said recorder.

5. In a signal systemfor railways, the combination of a track. divided into blocks, a vehicle, local contacts for forward travel and local contacts. for rearward travel of said vehicle electrically connected with said blocks, a traveling contact on said vehicle for forward travel and a traveling contact on said vehicle for rearward travel of said vehicle respectively arranged for making contact ith said respective local contacts, a. plural it of signals and recorder on said vehicle having electric connections with said respective traveling. contacts and an angle and Wlleels of said vehicle, and a plurality of elec* tric switches in said last narned electric connections for electrically connecting either of said traveling contacts with either "of said i saidt'ehicle, :i' plurality of signals and a re-- corder on said vehicle: electrical connections on said Vehicle forseid signals, traveling COD: tects and an axle and wheels of said vehicle; electric switches in said lust-named electric connections for electrically connecting either of said traveling contacts with either of said signals and recorder, and a switch in said lastnzuned electric connections for short-circuit- 111; said recorder with either ol' Silltl signals on seidrehicle. substantially as described in testimony whereof, l have subscribed my name hereto in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NAXlllllililAN t1 l tlltl'l'lnilll lll'l. Witnesses:

CURII'JELIA O'HEARN. A. F. H r: it es r in e. 

